UNILAG showers cash on students in customer service week competition

The Quality Assurance and Servicom Unit, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Thursday awarded three students with cash gifts.

The students bagged the gifts for emerging as the top performers in essay competitions on customer service delivery in the university.

It was part of activities to mark the 2024 International Customer Service Week, organised by the Quality Assurance and Servicom Unit, with the theme, “Above and Beyond”.

The Director of the Servicom Unit, Prof. Olufemi Saibu, said that Abdullahi Yaqub, of Department of Chemical Engineering, won N250,000.

He said that Titilayo Rasaki, of Department of Adult Education, won N100,000, while Ope Oduniyi, of Department of Chemical Engineering, won N100,000.

“Fifty-one students took part in our essay competition, we will also identify three other students for their supportive roles in addressing student challenges and ensuring student welfare.

“They also will receive a cash award of N100,000 each, sponsored by Crystal Finance Ltd.

“Three companies will be recognised for their support in our student industrial work experience scheme (SIWES), as part of our appreciation for those who make life easy for our students,” he said.

Saibu said that this year’s theme resonates deeply with the mission and vision of the university management “to build the 21st Century UNILAG of our dreams by making it future ready and creating a fit for purpose workforce”.

“It is a call to action for each one of us to not only meet but exceed the needs of our customers, to innovate in our approach, and to embrace empathy in our interactions.

“Whether it is in our classrooms, administrative offices, or in our community engagements, our goal is to foster a service culture that is responsive, respectful and resilient,” he said.

Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, SERVICOM Office, Presidency of Nigeria, urged UNILAG to continue to improve students’ outcomes by encouraging them on involvement in researches.

Akajemeli said that all Nigerian universities needed to deliver excellent services for 21st century customers, including students and staff.

“Excellent services is a journey without an end, we need to keep boosting morale and team work of everyone in the institution.

“In the 21st century, customers have various needs; it means we need to upgrade our services to everyone necessary, both students and other stakeholders.

“We need to know that the students are the reason and centre for any education institution,” she said.

In her opening remarks, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor, UNILAG, urged all staff and students to decide and commit to doing better in the future, in terms of excellent delivery in the university.

Ogunsola said that commitment to delivery of services was important, with the need to go above and beyond.

“UNILAG management recognises all unit services, that is why we are celebrating you today. I want you to know that we can not afford to be average but excellent in all our deliveries within and out of the university,” she said.

Prof. Obinna Chukwu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Service), said that the celebration was an opportunity to learn and reflect on how to deliver better services and exceed expectations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that awards were also given to academic staff and non-academic staff members, departments, faculties, employers, and campus restaurants for the service delivery compliance within and outside the university.

The university has also slated its 29th inaugural lecture, 2023-2024 academic session, for Oct. 16, at the J.F. Ade Ajayi auditorium.

The lecture, titled “Afrocentricity: the power of weakness”, is to be delivered by Prof. Ndukaeze Nwabueze.

Nwabueze is a professor of Sociology of Development and Industrial Relations.